Dow Halts Three Weeks of Consecutive Losses

US stocks rose for the week, led to the upside by the Dow with a gain of 2.81%. Gold for August delivery hit a nominal record high of $1,254.5 during Tuesday's trading session, as investors sought refuge on the metal due to worries about Europe.

What follows is a summary of this week's statistics on the markets.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

The Dow ended up 279.10 or 2.81% for the week, snapping 3-weeks of consecutive losses

Posted its biggest weekly percent increase since April 19, 2010, when it gained 3%

Settled up ~59% of the time this year, or 66 out of 111 trading sessions

On Thursday, the Dow had an intraday High/Low point swing of 284.16 points, the eighth largest this year

The biggest intraday point swing in 2010 occurred during May 6th “Flash Crash” when the Dow hit an intraday High/Low swing of 1010.14 points-its 2nd largest in the history of the Dow

The Dow has settled above 200 points or greater only 4 times this year

On Monday, the Dow closed below the intraday low it hit during the May 6th “Flash Crash” at 9816.49, and settled at its lowest level since November 4, 2009

The Dow has closed below 10,000 only 6 times this year

26 of the Dow 30 components advanced for the week, while 4 companies finished down

The Dow is off by -3,953.46 or -27.91% from the market peak on October 9, 2007 of 14,164.53

S&P 500

The S&P 500 ended up 26.72 or 2.51% for the week, logging its best weekly percent increase since March 5, 2010, when it gained 3.1%

On Thursday, the S&P closed up 31.15 points or 2.95%, its largest point and percent gain since May 27, when it rose 35.11 or 3.29%

The S&P has settled above 30 points or greater only 3 times this year

On Monday, the S&P closed down -14.41 or -1.35% at 1,050.47, its lowest closing level since November 4, 2009

The S&P has settled up ~58% of the time this year or 64 out of 111 trading sessions

438 (~88%) of the S&P 500 components rose for the week, and 62 companies finished down

The S&P is off -473.55 or -30.26% from the market peak on October 9, 2007 of 1,565.15

NASDAQ Composite

The NASDAQ Composite ended up 24.43 or 1.1% for the week

Since the start of this year, the NASDAQ Composite has posted on average weekly losses of -0.04%, and it has seen weekly gains about 57% of the time

On Thursday, the NASDAQ advanced 59.86 or 2.77%, its largest point and percent gain since May 27, when it rose 81.81 or 3.73%

The NASDAQ has settled above 55 points or greater only 4 times this year

On Wednesday, the NASDAQ closed down for the 4th consecutive day at 2158.85, its lowest closing level since February 10, 2010, and its longest daily losing streak since May 7

The NASDAQ has settled up ~56% of the time this year or 62 out of 111 trading sessions

73 of the NASDAQ 100 components increased for the week

The NASDAQ is -615.52 or -21.53% from its 6-year + high reached on October 31, 2007 of 2,859.12

S&P 500 Sectors

Ten out of ten sectors closed the week in positive territory, led to the upside by material and energy stocks.

AvalonBay Communities was the biggest percent gainer in the materials sector, up 12% for the week

Energy stocks were helped by Pioneer Natural Resources, up 11% this week

Year-to-date, seven out of ten sectors are trading in negative territory, led to the downside by telecom stocks with a loss of nearly 8%, and to the upside by consumer discretionary companies, with a gain of 8%

More Weekly Stats Here

Commodity Impact:Crude oil for July delivery settled at $73.78 per barrel on Friday, up $2.27 this week, or 3.17%. Crude oil is off 49.22% from its NYMEX record close of $145.29, hit on July 3, 2008.

Gold for August delivery hit a record high of $1,254.5 and a record settle of $1245.60 this week

Oat July futures were among the best performing commodities this week, rising 17%, while pork bellies for July delivery were among the worst performers, posting a loss of 3%

Currencies Impact: The US dollar gained ground against the yen and euro on Friday, following news that consumer sentiment rose near a 2-1/2 year high.